Image Credit: HikingGuy.com
(North County Beat) – Residents across North County, from Oceanside to Encinitas and Fallbrook, have been complaining about a persistent foul odor lingering in the air. The smell has raised concerns and confusion, with locals speculating on possible causes. The stench has been described in varying ways—some liken it to fire, tar, or even a chemical odor.
While the region recently dealt with a lithium battery fire in Escondido, local authorities have ruled out this event as the source of the smell. Officials are continuing to investigate the matter, working closely with County health officials to determine what might be causing this nuisance.
The mysterious scent has been widespread, as reported by many North County residents. Maya Faulkner, a mother from Oceanside, expressed concern about the potential health risks for her daughter, Jaden, as the smell seemed to follow them across the region. “I was in Oceanside, and now I’m here in Carlsbad and I still smell it,” Faulkner told CBS 8, noting a “weird musty” odor that seemed to appear out of nowhere.
Other residents echoed similar concerns. Carlsbad resident Jameson Haslam described the smell as “something gross,” while his daughter Noe thought it resembled paint or chalk. Patricia Simpson, also from Carlsbad, mentioned how the odor often triggers immediate physical symptoms like headaches and sinus issues, stating, “I just don’t feel good when I smell it.”
Despite the various descriptions, the cause of the foul smell remains elusive. Some have speculated that the unusually high temperatures might be causing the region’s kelp to decompose, leading to the odor. Jameson Haslam mentioned, “My one friend was saying it’s so hot the kelp is melting, and that’s the smell.”
However, others pointed toward the recent fire at an SDG&E battery storage facility in Escondido as a possible cause. While this fire initially seemed to be a plausible explanation, SDG&E officials dismissed it, citing that the wind patterns and distance made it unlikely for the smell to be linked to the incident. “Due to the direction of the winds and distance from the incident, we do not have any reason to believe the reported smell in Encinitas and surrounding areas is related to the battery fire in Escondido,” an SDG&E spokesperson clarified.
By late Friday, the county’s Air Pollution Control District had officially ruled out the fire as a source. Field inspectors reported odors resembling a mixture of plastic and asphalt or oil, which seemed to dissipate quickly. Nevertheless, they remain “unable to identify the source at this time.”
